Presidency Accuses Atiku of Undermining Nigeria Through Alleged US Lobbying Against Tinubu
Presidency Accuses Atiku of Undermining Nigeria Through Alleged US Lobbying Against Tinubu
The Presidency has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of undermining Nigeria’s national interest by allegedly lobbying officials in the United States against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The accusation follows reports that Atiku engaged a Washington-based lobbying firm to raise issues concerning the Nigerian government before key officials in the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to the Presidency, Atiku’s reported actions amount to an attempt to internationalise Nigeria’s domestic political affairs ahead of the 2027 general elections. It argued that political disagreements and electoral issues should be resolved through Nigeria’s constitutional and democratic institutions rather than by seeking foreign intervention.
The government also dismissed renewed references to President Tinubu’s decades-old legal issues in the United States, maintaining that the matters had long been settled by the appropriate authorities. It insisted that resurrecting such issues for political purposes serves no national interest and only damages Nigeria’s international reputation.
Reports indicate that Atiku’s US-based lobbying firm has been engaging American policymakers on issues including governance, insecurity and electoral integrity in Nigeria. The firm reportedly urged closer scrutiny of developments in the country and suggested that sanctions could be considered if evidence of human rights abuses or electoral misconduct emerged.
The Presidency, however, maintained that attempts to influence foreign governments against a sitting Nigerian administration are unpatriotic and counterproductive. It urged political actors to focus on presenting alternative policies and engaging Nigerians through democratic processes instead of seeking external pressure against the government.
The exchange reflects the growing political rivalry ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition figures intensifying efforts to strengthen their political narratives.
